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Largest Danish research award goes to energy pioneer

(Nanowerk News) Frede Blaabjerg, Professor in Energy at Aalborg University, is the recipient of the largest individual Danish research award, the Villum Kann Rasmussen Annual Award for Technical and Scientific Research of DKK 5 million (EUR 0.67 million). The internationally known scientist will use the attention to get more talented Danish researchers interested in energy research now when things are seriously moving.

Frede BlaabjergFrede Blaabjerg, 50, researches in power electronics, a necessary key technology for more efficient renewable energy production from, for example, wind turbines and solar panels. His efforts have led to significant breakthroughs in the design of new sustainable solutions to society's energy problems, and he is among the most cited international researchers in the field.

His own contributions in the quest for energy efficiency range from small electrical appliances to giant offshore wind turbines. For instance, he has developed a solar control unit enabling solar cells to take advantage of the sun's rays in the best possible way, and his solutions for efficient energy conversion have had great significance for modern wind energy research that currently enjoys widespread attention.

Frede Blaabjerg describes it as a matter of good timing that his area of research is now being recognized with the major Villum Kann Rasmussen award:Things are really moving in the area now. We are in the process of a paradigm shift in key processes in our energy production. The results will be a major contribution to solving society’s energy challenges. The support enables me to take on riskier projects than I otherwise would have the opportunity for.

This is important, stresses Frede Blaabjerg, who will be presented with Annual Award at a gala ceremony at the Royal Library, the Black Diamond, in Copenhagen, Thursday, 23 January.

Ambitions on behalf of others

Now the successful professor also allows himself to have great ambitions on behalf of others: It is important for me to inspire and help more young people get involved with the energy research that we are good at in Denmark, and that will have enormous importance for the development of society in the coming years. The talent is there, but we need to find it and maintain it, says Frede Blaabjerg.

His impact has meant that he has managed to attract numerous talented international researchers to Aalborg University. This has helped make Denmark a leader in power electronics, but Frede Blaabjerg would like to see more young Danes on board: They can ensure the momentum we now have. We're able to attract many international people to our energy programs and research environments because we have a good international reputation. But it is important that more students and researchers are anchored in Denmark because there’s a greater probability that we can hold on to them in the future, says Frede Blaabjerg.

Source: Aalborg University

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